Keratin 18 provides resistance to Fas-mediated liver failure in mice.
Eur J Clin Invest
; 39(6): 481-8, 2009 Jun.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-19397691
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Keratins are intermediate filament proteins of epithelial cells with pivotal functions for cell integrity. They comprise keratins 18 [K18] and 8 [K8] in hepatocytes. Keratins are of major importance for an intact cellular microarchitecture and have protective functions in human liver diseases. In mice, K8 has been demonstrated to protect against Fas-antibody-induced liver failure by direct interaction with apoptotic regulators, while the role of K18 remains unresolved. MATERIALS ANDMETHODS:
We analysed effects of K18 deficiency on Fas-induced liver failure in mice. We determined survival and analysed induction of apoptosis after injection of the agonistic Fas antibody Jo2 into K18(-/-) and wild-type control mice by TUNEL assay and fluorometrically analysed caspase-3, -8 and -9 activities 1, 2 and 3 h after Jo2 injection.RESULTS:
In K18(-/-) mice, survival of Fas-antibody treated mice was significantly shorter than that of wild-type controls (P = 0.02). However, shortened survival of K18(-/-) mice was caused by increased hepatic damage but was not correlated to enhanced induction of apoptotic pathways, as neither numbers of TUNEL positive apoptotic cells nor activities of caspases-3, -8 and -9 differed between K18(-/-) and K18(+/+) mice at any point of time.CONCLUSION:
K18(-/-) mice are significantly more susceptible to Fas-antibody-induced liver failure. The cytoprotective effect of K18 is not explained by a differential activation of caspases-3, -8 and -9, suggesting that K18 does not directly interfere with apoptotic regulators. Importantly, however, K18 exerts significant protective functions by other mechanisms.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Falência Hepática
/
Caspases
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Proteínas Reguladoras de Apoptose
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Queratina-18
/
Anticorpos
Limite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Eur J Clin Invest
Ano de publicação:
2009
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Alemanha